UAW Strikes GM

For the first time in a dozen years, members of the United Auto Workers have struck General Motors.

Union employees walked off the job at 11:59 last night.

The strike includes 46,000 union members at 55 GM facilities in the United States.

Union contracts with Ford and Fiat Chrysler have been extended, anticipating that the deal eventually reached with GM will serve as a template for those contracts, as well.

The Detroit Free Press reports that the strike will cost both sides. GM is expected to lose $400-million a day. UAW members will get just $250 per week in strike assistance from the union.

Negotiations are expected to resume this morning.